It’s More Than a Tribute Concert to the Musical “RENT”

The Carrollwood Cultural Center will host a virtual concert tribute to the rock musical RENT on October 2 and 3 at 8 p.m.

Several months ago, the Center made plans to create a one-night-only musical tribute to the Tony award-winning rock musical RENT by Jonathan Larson. The show was cast with some of MAS Theatre’s most talented vocal performers, and the production was on its way for what was meant to be a fundraising event for the Center.

Then the world stopped. 

The Center’s creative team was forced to rework the show several times.  With every new COVID-19 update and subsequent social recommendation came another new concept for the show. Indoors, outdoors, smaller audiences, change of venue, live, recorded, fewer performers, creative blocking — all of it was considered during a time when things would change again and again. 

What was filmed is more than a tribute to a single musical.

RENT: A Tribute Concert incorporates one-on-one interviews with the cast and crew who describe what it has been like to suddenly stop performing due to the pandemic.  Scared. Frustrated. Lost. Approaching each new obstacle with grace and professionalism, their desire to perform helped keep this production going.

RENT: A Tribute Concert was directed by Aaron Washington and filmed by Mackley Fogarty. The film features Ben Richter, Lee Markham, Diego Rosado, Patty Smithey, Lauren Burke, Aaron Washington, Gamalier Calderon, Ashley Ryan Lord, Kay Brown, Keira Osborne, Kadime Kanyinda, Zach Angel Zayas, Juan Alejandro, Mackley Fogarty, and Devan Bittinger.

Virtual access for RENT: A Tribute Concert is $10. Visit carrollwoodcenter.org or call (813) 922-8167 for details and access.